Follow ESG News on LinkedIn This week, the EU and the US seemed to swap roles as California advanced its climate disclosure law, maintaining the 2026 reporting deadline for large...
The European Union has officially pushed back the enforcement of its pivotal Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), a move confirmed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Originally set...
The big picture: Italy’s antitrust agency has launched an investigation into Shein’s website operator, Infinite Styles Services Co., over potentially misleading environmental claims. The investigation targets Infinite Styles Services CO....
The European Commission is addressing gaps in the transposition of several EU directives across Member States. The lack of national measures hampers harmonized implementation and compliance with EU law. Here’s...
CFTC Introduces First Carbon Credit Market Guidelines The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has established its first-ever guidelines for trading voluntary carbon credit derivative contracts. This is a pivotal...
Deutsche Bank is set to strengthen its commitment to ocean conservation under its #BackBlue initiative, implementing updated due diligence requirements in Q4 2024. These updates mark a continuation of the...
Organizations are pushing forward with sustainability initiatives despite geopolitical turbulence. According to Capgemini Research Institute’s latest report, A World in Balance 2024: Accelerating Sustainability Amidst Geopolitical Challenges, regulatory frameworks and...
The Big Picture Australia’s mandatory climate reporting starts January 1, 2025, following the passage of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Market Infrastructure and Other Measures) Bill. Royal Assent is expected...
Texas is facing a legal challenge from the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), a nonprofit organization advocating for environmentally sustainable business practices. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday in Austin’s federal...
India is on a path to significantly expand its bioeconomy, with projections indicating growth from $130 billion in 2024 to $300 billion by 2030. This expansion is driven by the...
TotalEnergies SE faced a significant setback when South Africa’s Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruled that the company’s sustainability claims were “misleading,” marking the first such challenge in the country. Fossil...
The oil and gas (O&G) sector faces an urgent call to decarbonize. Responsible for 85% of CO2 emissions and a significant portion of global methane emissions, this industry holds a...
China has released a comprehensive plan to standardize carbon emission calculations across key sectors to meet its carbon reduction targets. By the end of 2024, China will publish 70 national...
MioTech is leveraging tougher ESG disclosure rules to expand its sustainability data and software services. Founder and CEO Jason Tu outlined plans for more partnerships to help clients meet regulatory...
In a landmark ruling, Australia’s Federal Court ordered Mercer Superannuation (Australia) Limited to pay an $7.4 million penalty for misleading claims about the sustainability of its superannuation investment options. Mercer...
For more from Tim Mohin, sign up for his newsletter here While there are still many questions about how all of these policies will work and interact, the time for implementation...
The number of plastic bags found on UK beaches has plummeted by 80% over the past decade, following the introduction of a mandatory fee for single-use carrier bags. According to...
Air New Zealand Adjusts Emission Goals Air New Zealand has retracted its 2030 emissions reduction target, citing delays in the delivery of fuel-efficient aircraft and the high cost of green...
In 2024, shareholder proposals on ESG and anti-ESG issues soared to record numbers, reaching 998 among Russell 3000 companies, surpassing 2023’s total of 947. Despite the increase, support remains inconsistent,...
Market Dynamics Driving ESG Evolution Market forces, including shifting ESG regulations, U.S. anti-ESG sentiment, and increasing competition among ESG service providers, are reshaping asset managers and rating agencies’ ESG integration....
The European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) has published an Opinion on enhancing the Sustainable Finance Regulatory Framework, highlighting potential long-term improvements. Current Framework ESMA recognizes the robust development of...
The EU has introduced a comprehensive law aimed at enhancing the sustainability of products in the market. The new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation expands on the existing Ecodesign Directive,...
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has established a Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions to design and implement policies that create a fair and affordable energy system. This initiative...
BlackRock Inc., the world’s largest asset manager, updated its decarbonization investment guidelines on July 2, allocating $150 billion for funds screened for energy transition risks and opportunities. Though based in...
The SEC, in collaboration with CFA Institute and CFA Society Thailand, hosted a training seminar to advance the integration of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors into securities analysis and...
EU Imposes Provisional Duties on Chinese BEVs The European Commission has imposed provisional countervailing duties on battery electric vehicle (BEV) imports from China, nine months after initiating an anti-subsidy investigation....
In recent years, leaders in climate-vulnerable countries have reinforced the call for urgent climate action: earlier this year through the Bridgetown Initiative 3.0 and the Vulnerable 20 (V20) Ministerial Dialogue...
ISO is developing its first international standard on net zero to provide clarity and robust requirements for the global net zero transition. Expected to launch at COP30 in November 2025,...
It seems that the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) makes a new announcement about ‘harmonizing’ corporate sustainability reporting every other week. This week, there was an update on the strengthening...
Canada has amended the Competition Act to address greenwashing, imposing strict requirements for substantiating environmental claims. Businesses face substantial penalties and increased litigation risks if found non-compliant. Urgent review of...
Denmark is set to become the first country to impose a CO2 tax on agricultural emissions, targeting livestock. This groundbreaking policy, achieved through extensive negotiations among various stakeholders, aims to...
The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) has launched Spring, a stewardship initiative backed by over 200 investors managing $15 trillion in assets. The initiative focuses on reducing the financial risks...
At the IFRS Foundation Conference coinciding with London Climate Action Week—ISSB Chair Emmanuel Faber will announce further harmonisation of the sustainability reporting landscape, as the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) embarks on...
Rules provide clarity and certainty for prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements in the Inflation Reduction Act and ensure clean energy jobs are good paying jobs. The U.S. Department of the...
Key Points: A majority of U.S. voters support key climate policies, according to recent research by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the Center for Climate Change Communication...
Key Impact Points: Green Claims Directive: Council Moves ForwardThe Council has adopted its stance on the green claims directive, aiming to combat greenwashing and empower consumers to make informed, eco-friendly...
The Council formally adopted the – first of its kind – regulation on nature restoration. This law aims to put measures in place to restore at least 20% of the...
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) recognized a critical gap between companies’ sustainability commitments and their policy engagement strategies. A recent InfluenceMap report found that 58% of the...
Helps investors monitor and report on portfolio risk and captures enhanced corporate disclosure driven by regulation ISS ESG, the sustainable investment arm of ISS STOXX, launched its enhanced Modern Slavery solution which...
Public comment on revised GRI Standards for employment practices and working conditions How are organizations responding to their responsibilities to ensure decent working conditions and fully disclose their impacts on...
Key Impact Points: • Nippon Life’s framework supports high-emitting industries’ transition to decarbonization.• Emphasizes alignment with Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.• Framework ensures transparency and accountability in transition finance. Nippon Life...
Key Impact Points: • New appointments enhance the Committee’s capacity for consistent IFRS application.• Diverse expertise and experience brought by new members.• Strengthened guidance and interpretation of accounting standards. Committee...
The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA and ESMA – ESAs) published their Final Reports on Greenwashing in the financial sector. Key Impact Points: The European Supervisory Authorities (EBA, EIOPA,...
44% of these funds are invested in assets that breach the Paris-aligned benchmark (PaB) exclusionary criteria In the first of a two-part series examining ESMA’s name rule restricting the use...
The Council has adopted a directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, also known as the right-to-repair (or R2R) directive. This legislation will make it easier for consumers to...
In a significant move to bolster the credibility of the carbon offset market, the Biden administration has unveiled a new policy designed to enhance transparency and integrity in carbon credit...
The Council has adopted a regulation on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem, better known as the ‘net-zero industry act’. This is the last...
The Council adopted a regulation on tracking and reducing methane emissions. It is part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package. The regulation introduces new requirements on measuring, reporting and verifying...
The European Union has taken a significant step towards its green transition goals with the final approval of the Ecodesign Regulation by the Council. This regulation aims to enhance the...
The Council formally adopted the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, amending and strengthening the existing EU rules. The updated rules will further reduce CO2 emissions from road transport and will introduce...
The first phase of the U.K.’s Sustainability Disclosure Requirements (SDR), known as the anti-greenwashing rule, comes into effect at the end-of-May and will be followed by a series of substantial...
The IFRS Foundation and EFRAG have published guidance material to illustrate the high level of alignment achieved between the International Sustainability Standards Board’s IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards (ISSB Standards) and...
Stockholm — A New Model for Green Steel Demand Microsoft has signed two agreements with Swedish green steelmaker Stegra, marking one of the most significant corporate commitments yet to near-zero...
China has pledged for the first time to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms, committing to reduce economy-wide net emissions by 7–10% from peak levels by 2035, “striving...
In manufacturing, the risks are high for any company that jumps right into the next emerging technology without first doing research and developing a thoughtful, strategic business plan for implementation...
Brazil Ramps Up Forest Finance The Brazil Restoration and Bioeconomy Finance Coalition (BRB Finance Coalition) has secured more than $4.5 billion in commitments to forest and bioeconomy projects, accelerating momentum...
Redwood Conservation Anchors Apple’s U.S. Climate Strategy Apple has partnered with The Conservation Fund to restore and sustainably manage the Gualala River Forest, a coastal redwood landscape that has long...
Microsoft Backs Cement Decarbonization Microsoft has taken another step to decarbonize its global operations, announcing an investment through its Climate Innovation Fund in Fortera, a U.S.-based developer of low-carbon cement....
A Global Platform Backed by Masdar and the Zayed Sustainability Prize Masdar’s Women in Sustainability, Environment and Renewable Energy (WiSER) initiative has opened applications for its 2026 WiSER Pioneers Program,...
Madrid strategy sets course for next decade Iberdrola, Europe’s largest utility, unveiled a sweeping €110 billion ($120 billion) investment plan through 2031, cementing its shift away from risk-heavy renewable generation...
Paris: A Decisive Step in France’s Energy Transition The French government has selected TotalEnergies, in partnership with RWE, to develop and operate the “Centre Manche 2” offshore wind project, the...
Global Push from Climate Week NYC Schneider Electric used Climate Week NYC to announce a major expansion of its global supply chain decarbonization programs, doubling down on its strategy to...
A New Phase for Australia’s Renewable Sector La Caisse, the Canadian investment group formerly known as CDPQ, has reached binding agreements to acquire Edify Energy, one of Australia’s leading renewable...
A Defining Call in New York At the opening of the Global Renewables Summit during Climate Week NYC, an influential gathering of heads of government, corporate executives, financiers, and civil...
New York Sets the Stage for Belém Speaking at Climate Week in Manhattan, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell urged governments and business leaders to “step it up fast”...
Singapore turns to global carbon markets The Singapore government will purchase 2.175 million tonnes of nature-based carbon credits from projects in Ghana, Peru, and Paraguay, marking one of its largest...
A Strategic Response to Market Complexity Ahead of New York Climate Week, the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Academy and Wharton Executive Education announced the launch of a joint executive...
Fusion Moves Closer to Market Italian energy major Eni has agreed to purchase more than $1 billion worth of electricity from Commonwealth Fusion Systems’ (CFS) first commercial-scale fusion power plant,...
San Francisco Nonprofit Targets Bottleneck in Carbon Markets Cool Effect, a Bay Area nonprofit focused on advancing high-quality carbon projects, has launched a $1 million award designed to help promising...
A New Approach to Food Waste IKEA U.S. has launched a food waste pilot program that takes a direct aim at one of retail’s most stubborn environmental challenges: organic waste....
Papenburg project moves forward Mercedes-Benz AG and UKA Group have received clearance to begin construction of a 140-megawatt wind farm on the automaker’s 800-hectare test track in northern Germany. Scheduled...